Daphne and the Laurel Wreath

Apollo was struck by the arrow of Eros, as many have been, except he had been insulting Eros, so the nymph to whom his affections were directed, Daphne, was shot with a leaden arrow that prevented her from reciprocating. Apollo, in his eternal creepiness, literally pursues Daphne until she comes to one of her father Peneus' rivers and prays to him. She begs that he help her escape from that radiant criminal Apollo, so Peneus turns her into a laurel tree. Apollo is as devastated as any failed rapist can be, so he blesses Daphne with that same eternal youth that is his condition. Then he fashions a wreath from her leaves and wears it, making it one of his sacred symbols.

Hugh Jackman learns that you gotta die.

Eternal sounds like a dreadful curse, honestly. I haven't completely hated my youth, but I certainly wouldn't would to experience it for all of eternity. Life is only meaningful in all of its forms, all of its stages - including death. If I were to stay young forever, life could not possess that essential arc, progression. Only through change over time can we come to understand what has occurred. The finite nature of life provides a crucial perspective which couldn't exist without it. Therefore, I welcome my timely ascension through the years.